The UK is a country that has produced many fairy tales and legends since ancient times. Among them, there are some mysterious stories and mysteries that remain in the modern era. In this article, we will introduce some urban legends related to British fairy tales. Are these stories true? Or are they just fiction? What do you think?
The Green Children of Woolpit
The Green Children of Woolpit are a brother and sister who were said to have been found in the 12th century in the village of Woolpit in Suffolk, England. They were said to have come from another world and caused a lot of controversy.
This story was recorded by two historians at the time, William of Newburgh and Ralph of Coggeshall. According to them, the children came out of a hole dug to catch wolves. They wore strange clothes and spoke an unfamiliar language. And most surprisingly, their skin was green.
The villagers took them to the house of Sir Richard de Calne. He gave them food, but they refused to eat anything. However, one day, they found beans in the garden and started eating them. After that, they gradually got used to other foods. And as their diet changed, their skin also returned to normal.
Unfortunately, the brother soon became ill and died. But the sister survived. She was named Agnes and baptized. She learned English and told where they came from.
She said that they came from a place called "St Martin’s Land". It was a dark and foggy world where the sun was not visible. But they could see another bright world in the distance. Was it the earth? They entered a cave one day when they were herding their father’s sheep and heard a bell ringing. And when they woke up, they were in Woolpit.
Agnes later married Richard Barre, the archdeacon of Ely. She was described as "very wanton and impudent", but she gave birth to at least one child. That child may still have descendants today.
This story is still shrouded in mystery. Did they really come from another world? Or did they have some disease or malnutrition that made their skin green? And where was “St Martin’s Land”? Was it another dimension or planet? Or was it a hidden place on earth?
There are various theories about this story. For example, some say that they were immigrants from Flanders who had green skin due to anemia or starvation. Others say that they were underground dwellers who were expelled from their society . And others say that they were humanoid creatures created by experimental genetic manipulation who escaped.
But none of these theories are completely convincing. How can we explain their language, clothing, food preferences, etc.? And what was the bright world they saw? And what special abilities or knowledge did they have?
The Green Children of Woolpit are one of the urban legends hidden in British fairy tales. Their truth is still unknown. Do you believe this story? Or do you doubt it?
